Across the Generations

What does a girl of 16 expect in a relationship? What can a woman of 84 reveal about love over time?

What changed between 1950 and 2000? What has stayed the same?

Our intergenerational day brought women together from seven decades. The youngest was 16, the oldest 84. The women began by talking in couples or small groups and then came together to share their views with the wider group.

This rare opportunity to bring such a wide age range together resulted in rich and animated conversations, and the sharing of many views and stories, as well as some strong opinions about issues such as sex, body image and choice.

So what has changed? There have certainly been many changes in the economic and political climate that have
affected women's role in the work place and their independence.

Yet in terms of intimate relationships we found that perceptions of what makes a good relationship,
and what underpins positive body image for women, have changed little.